The silence has been broken and the darkness has been illuminated  all because of the love of a Heavenly Father who knew the greatest need of His creation could only be met by the sacrificial gift of His One and Only Son.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him" (John 3:16-17).

 

While in the world, Jesus Christ became the Light of the World.  He cast His brilliant light into the dark shadows of the human heart and provided humanity with a pathway out of the darkness into His glorious light. Upon His departure from this earth He passed that torch to His followers:  "You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16).

 

Jesus, our Immanuel, God with us is ever present today.  He has not left us nor forsaken us no matter how deafening the silence may seem or how alone we may feel.  Only by putting on a garment of human flesh and willingly laying down His life as a sacrifice could our Savior deliver us from the bondage of sin, rescuing humanity from the darkness of this world and providing a pathway into His glorious presence for all eternity.  His time on this earth was short, but He accomplished all that He came to do, leaving only to  prepare a glorious home in heaven for all who would choose to follow Him.  His departure brought with it another expression of His extraordinary love through the wondrous gift of His Holy Spirit; providing His followers the means to continue the work He began - a work He Himself would ultimately complete (reference Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:24). "But I tell you the truth:  It is for your good that I am going away.  Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you: but if I go, I will send Him to you...when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth...He will bring glory to Me by taking from what is Mine and making it known to you" (John 16:7, 13a, 14).

 

During the 8-day celebration of the Festival of Lights, Jewish families light the candles on the Hanukkah Menorah, one-by-one, using the center candle called the "Shamash."  This "servant" or "guard" candle provides a wonderful illustration to believers of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit of God in our lives.  For it is through this glorious gift of God, received by all who believe and accept the gift of forgiveness and salvation, achieved through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, that we are empowered and enabled to radiate His Light in the world.  "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16; see also Ephesians 2:22). 

 

The Holy Spirit is a gift from God given to be our Guide and Helper as we carry the light of Christ into the world.   The indwelling power of the Holy Spirit ignites the flame of passion inside the believer to seek the Lord with all their heart, enabling us as we grow in wisdom and knowledge, providing fertile ground to produce fruit that will become a source of nourishment to a world starving for love and longing for peace.  "But the fruit of the Spirit is love..." (Galatians 5:22).

 

God is with us, He lives inside us.  The world remains dark and silent only as long as the children of God bury His light and keep the glorious good news of Christ to themselves.  Our Heavenly Father was motivated by love in sending His only begotten Son into the world - as recipients of this extraordinary (and costly!) expression of love we are called to the same motivation - to "love one another" (John 13:34).  Love is what the apostle Paul called, "...the most excellent way." (1 Corinthians 12:31).  Love lights the way as we allow the Holy Spirit of God to work in and through our lives to produce the fruit that will nourish and sustain a world in need.

 

As we come to the final month in "The Year of the Harvest" there is no greater crop we can continue to cultivate than the crop of  LOVE -- it is God's greatest commandment (reference  Matthew 22:37-39) and our obedience will result in the production and increase of all other spiritual fruit.  The Holy Spirit inside us guides us to seek the Lord in His Word, in prayer, and in fellowship with other believers to cultivate in us and through us the love necessary to fulfill the "law of love."  "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law" (Romans 13:8).

 

If you are joining us for the 8-day celebration of the "Festival of Lights" beginning December 12th, you are encouraged to set out a candle, a collection of 8 candles (electric candles are also used), or a Menorah (I found an inexpensive one with candles at the party store in the holiday section), to light each night (or day, depending on your family schedule) during our family devotional time.  This journey is not a "fast" - it is a "feast" - and is meant for the entire family.  Jewish families begin their celebration on Friday night.  You may choose to gather your family together that night (or simply sit at the feet of Jesus yourself) and light the "Shamash" candle and share about God's gift of His Holy Spirit and read the love chapter of the Holy Bible:  1 Corinthians 13, in preparation for lighting the other candles throughout this dedication ceremony.  Have each family member read a section and allow the Word of God to go forth to achieve what the Lord has purposed (reference Isaiah 55:11).  When our families are built up in love we are made stronger to share His love and radiate His light in the world! 

 

The "Festival of Lights" is meant to prepare our hearts for the upcoming 40-day prayer and fasting journey beginning January 1st, as we offer our firstfruits to the Lord in the "Year of the Tithe".  If you did not receive a confirmation email to say you are on the mailing list to receive the Festival of Lights email devotional beginning Saturday, December 12th and you would like to participate please click here to sign up today.  To review the previous email (sent out December 2nd) announcing both journey's please click here.